Historic Structures of
Lowell, Indiana
Commercial Avenue
Photos by Tim Arends
Primarily a rural community, Lowell sprouted in the late 19th
century in the middle of miles of farmland. Named after the more
famous town in Massachusetts, Lowell was formally platted in
1853 but didn't really begin growing until the arrival of the
Louisville, New Albany and Chicago Railroad ended its isolation
in 1880. The town's early industry consisted of a dam and sawmill
and later, a small brick-making operation taking advantage of
the area's rich, clay-based soil. Two early pioneering a entrepreneurs
in Lowell were Melvin Halsted and O. E. Haskins.
Lowell's commercial district suffered a devastating
fire in October 1898, but was rebuilt in the few years following.
Lowell today boasts several important early 20th century buildings
in its downtown district and several buildings that date back
to the 1800s.
Like all American communities, even small
ones, Lowell has its modern sprawl and strip of McDonald's, Burger
King's and Walgreens. However, the town has been fortunate to
have a viable and sustained downtown district, even during a
period when many other rural communities saw a decline. Lowell
also has ready access to major highways that connect it to the
rest of northern Lake County, Indiana and even Chicago.
Lowell has an enlightened attitude toward
historic preservation. The Lowell Main Street Association was
formed to get the downtown area recognized for its historic significance.
Lowell applied for the area to be listed both on the National
Register of Historic Places and in the Indiana Register of Historic
Sites and Structures. The association realized that having the
downtown area on both registers gives the property prestige and
publicity and also protects it from damaging state and federal
construction projects. Most importantly, it permits investment
tax credits for improvements of historic income-producing buildings.
Daylene Welty, co-chair of the old Main Street
Association, is a shop owner on East Commercial Avenue and an
enthusiastic advocate of historic recognition. "Being on
the registry is a wonderful recognition," she is quoted
as saying in a March 18th, 2002 Post-Tribune article.
"You can still get a feel for the building's original construction,
and Lowell has the best collection I've seen. There's really
no gaps in the historic integrity," she said. The Main Street
Association contracted with a consultant to help with the application
process.
An important thing to understand about historic
recognition is that if a building owner wants to change his building
completely there are no restrictions in being listed on the National
Register of Historic Places against doing so; he just will not
receive tax credits. In order to be eligible for the credits,
the work must be purely restorative and follow guidelines set
forth by the Historic landmarks Foundation of Indiana.
Commercial Ave., Lowell's Main St., is still
a hub of commercial activity
Storefront Building/Apartments
509 Main
Italianate
c. 1880
8-flat Apartment Building
3-Creeks Monument
"Dedicated 1905 in honor of those who served in the Civil,
Mexican and Spanish-American Wars and the war of 1812 by the
women of Tri-Creek Lowell Women's Club, 1972"
Bacon House
427 Main
Cast iron fence in front
Italianate
c. 1865
Lowell Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center
Formerly Lowell Town Hall and, for awhile, the Lowell
police station
1922
Storefront Building
Stone plaque: "Lowell Lodge KP No. 300")
Terra Cotta close-up
308 Main
(Now a dentist's office)
Lowell Lodge Building
One of three former Lodge buildings on the same side
of the street in downtown Lowell
Another view of Commercial Ave.
The stone marker at the top of this building reads
"BANK." According to Richard C. Schmal Lowell Historian,
"the building was built in 1900 as a bank; the restaurant
there now uses the old vault for a table or two--the old burglar
alarm is still near the large window in the front."
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